The Dodge Magnum name has been used on a number of different Automobile. The most recent is a large Rear-wheel driveStation wagon introduced in 2004 for the 2005 model year. This new Magnum is Dodge's first car to use the new Chrysler LX platform, shared with the Chrysler 300 (of which the Magnum is essentially a wagon version) and the Dodge Charger. The LX Line is assembled at Brampton Assembly Plant, near Toronto, Ontario, Canada.

In late 2007, Chrysler announced that the Dodge Magnum would discontinue production due to lagging sales.[1]
Historically, the Dodge Magnum model name had been used from 1978 to 1979 for a large Coupe in the United States. In Brazil, the Magnum name was a version of the local Dodge Dart from 1979 to 1981. In Mexico, the Magnum was a K-car from 1983 to 1990.

The 1978 and 1979 Dodge Magnum in the United States and Canada was an addition to the Chrysler line up that allowed Richard Petty to continue racing with a Mopar. The Magnum replaced the Charger SE in Dodge's lineup in two forms; the "XE" and the "GT". It was the last vehicle to use the long running Chrysler B platform. The appearance was somewhat of a rounded off Charger, and was in response to getting a car that would be eligible for NASCAR that would be more aerodynamic, something the 1975-78 Charger was not. Styling features included four rectangular headlights behind retractable clear covers, with narrow opera windows, and an optional T-bar or power sunroof. The Magnum was well-featured with power steering, brakes and seats; the suspension included Chrysler's standard adjustable, longitudinal torsion bars, lower trailing links, and front and rear anti-sway bars. The base engine was the 318 in³ V8 with Lean burn, while two and four-barrel carbureted 360 and 400 V8 were also available; weight was nearly 3,900 lb (1,800 kg). The 400 was dropped from the option list in 1979 as Chrysler stopped production of big-block V-8's in production cars at the end of 1978. A performance model, the "GT" was available with the "E58" police interceptor engine, HD suspension, special axle, special "GT" badging and a "turned metal" dash applique. Technology was advanced for the time with an onboard spark control computer from inception, electronic ignition, and a lockup torque converter. The Magnum name was discarded quickly in favor of the Mirada, a smaller car that was also a rebadged Chrysler Cordoba. The Magnum has something of a cult following today, with several clubs and enthusiasts who are dedicated to the recognition and preservation of Chrysler's "last B-body". In 1979, they made 3,704 Dodge Magnums with the T-Top.

NASCAR

For the 1978 NASCAR season, the 1974 Charger that Chrysler teams had continued to use was no longer legal. While the aerodynamic shape of the Magnum was certainly not a problem, the lack of factory support was. This, combined with the lack of development of the small-block Chrysler V8 as a race engine left the car at a disadvantage. Richard Petty was particularly harsh in his criticism of the car. By the latter half of the 1978 season, Petty and Neil Bonnett switched to Chevrolet, leaving independent drivers Buddy Arrington and Frank Warren to soldier on without factory support. From August 1978, 2-5 independent teams showed up with Magnums in NASCAR races until January 1981, when NASCAR switched to smaller bodied cars. The Magnum never enjoyed the racing heritage of its predecessors, but it was not without its own glorious moments. Petty scored 7 top five finishes in his 17 races with the car, and Neil Bonnett won three poles and scored 5 top five finishes with his. Richard Petty recognized the Magnum with a commemorative decal, depicting his famous number 43 emblazoned on a Magnum for his 1992 Fan Appreciation Tour. Though he never won a race in a Magnum, Richard Petty's son, Kyle Petty drove one of his father's old Dodge Magnums in his first super-speedway race (1979 Daytona ARCA 200), and won! As of now (JUL 2008) only two NASCAR Magnums still exist; one (an ex-Petty car) resides in the Talledega NASCAR museum, and the other; (Marty Robbin's 1978 Magnum #42) has been superbly restored and is owned by a private party in southern CA. The owner plans on racing it in the vintage NASCAR series.

Brazil

In Brazil, the Dodge Dart was produced until 1981 with minor changes from the original model, released in 1969 and largely based on the 1967 Dart. For its last three years of production, a 2-door upper trim level version of the Dart was sold as the Magnum, featuring the 318 in³ V8 engine and a fiberglass front fascia that included four headlights, while the rear end was very similar to the American Dart. The Magnum was sold as a separate model from the Dart, despite being almost identical to the Dart.

Mexico

The same Brazilian Dart derivative was sold in Mexico. 1983 saw the introduction of the K-car Magnum; this version stayed in production until 1990.

The Magnum name was revived in 2004 as a 2005 Station wagon on the Chrysler LX platform. The new Magnum was essentially a station wagon version of the Chrysler 300, with minor cosmetic changes. It was built in Brampton, Ontario, Canada.

The Magnum was Dodge's first station wagon since the discontinuation of the Dodge Colt wagon in 1991, and though it was the largest American-brand station wagon introduced since the discontinuation of the Chevrolet Caprice/Buick Roadmaster wagons in 1996, it is smaller than "traditional" players in the full-size category(roughly 4" narrower and 15" shorter than a Ford Crown Victoria). Based on the similar size and styling, the Dodge Magnum could be considered by some a spiritual successor to the AMC Concord.

The Magnum had four engine options; the SE features the 190 Horsepower2.7 L LH V6, the SXT had the 250 hp (190 kW) 3.5 L V6, and the RT had the new 340 hp 5.7 L HemiV8. The SRT-8 has a 425 hp 6.1 Liter Hemi engine.

All-wheel drive became an option in 2005 on SXT and RT models. The SRT8, AWD SXT, and the RT use a Mercedes-Benz-derived 5-speed Automatic transmission, while all other models use a four-speed automatic.

Unlike the Chrysler 300, the new Magnum has not been a stunning success for the company[citation needed], with sales trailing its predecessor, the Dodge Intrepid[citation needed]; this may have to do with the fact that wagons like the Magnum have sold less than comparable sedans in the US.

The Magnum was on Car and Driver'sCar and Driver Ten Best for 2005. [2]

Police Version

As with the Intrepid, the Magnum was made available as a police car. Although it was a wagon without body-on-frame construction, it was the only rear-wheel drive police car that was not the Ford Crown Victoria Police Interceptor and hoped its rear-drive handling would appeal to departments retiring their few remaining Caprices. Available only to law enforcement, emergency agencies, and government agencies, the vehicle has the SXT's V6 as the base engine and the Hemi as an option, along with police-specific options such as a steering-column mounted shifter, deactivated interior rear windows and locks, and a bulletproof glass partition between the first and second rows of seats and the cargo area.

SRT-8

A high performance SRT-8 version debuted at the 2005 Los Angeles Auto Show. It went on sale in 2005 as a 2006 model. Like the Chrysler 300C SRT-8, it featured the new 6.1 L (370 cu in) Hemi engine, which produces 425 hp (317 kW). 20" wheels, firmer suspension, bigger brakes (Brembo), new lower-body treatment, and a revised front and rear-fascia completes the transformation. The SRT-8 was named Best New Modern Muscle Car in the 2006 Canadian Car of the Year contest.

2008 changes

2008 Dodge Magnum SRT-8

For the 2008 model year, the Magnum received a facelift as well as an updated interior in line with that of the Dodge Charger. The front fascia sported new aggressively squared off headlights and a smaller rectangular grille more reminiscent of the Charger. The SRT-8 variant gained a new hood scoop. A new bright red paint scheme was introduced. The new changes brought the car closer to its Charger platform mate, away from the Chrysler 300.[4]

Cancellation

On November 1, 2007, Chrysler announced that, as part of its restructuring plans, the Dodge Magnum would be one of four models discontinued after the 2008 model year. The production ended in late March, 2008. The Dodge Magnum, (along with the short wheel base Dodge Caravan), has been replaced by the Dodge Journey.
[1]

Europe and Australia

In Europe and Australia, the Magnum is sold as the Chrysler 300 Touring. It is essentially the same as the U.S.-market Magnum, but with the Chrysler 300C's front end and interior, and right-hand-drive for Australia and the U.K. The 300C Touring adds an available 3.0L CRD Turbo Diesel version. The 300C Touring is assembled in Austria.